Signaling letter-slot device for doors



June 11, 1929. B MCLAUGHLIN 1.1 16558 SIGNALING LETTER SLOT DEVICE FOR DOORS Filed Feb. 25. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l 11ml 1 I k 2 n- W r F i 'd in r l l l l l l l I l 20 g l I l l l I l l l l l INVENTOR. EUGENE. E. MELHUEHLIN.

ATTORNEY.

June 11, 1929. B, MCLAUGHLIN 1,716,558

SIGNALING LETTER SLOT DEVICE FOR DOORS Filed Feb. 25 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. EUGENE. E1. MCLHUEHLIM ATTORNEY.

Patented June 11, 1929.

UNITED STATES EUGENE B. MCLAUGHLIN', OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

SIGNALING LETTER-$109? DEVICE FOR DOORS.

Application filed February 25, 1928. Serial No. 257,006.

The present invention relates to a signaling letter-slot device for doors, and has for an object to provide a device of this character which will indicate by an audible signal the fact that a letter has been inserted in the slot. It is particularly proposed to provide a letter-slot device having a knocker-lilre signaling means which normally closes or obstructs the letter slot, so that when inserting letters therein actuation of the signaling means is compelled. Other objects are to to provide a device of simple and inexpensive construction and of attractive appearance, lending itself to the production of designs in artistic keeping and harmony with the architectural characteristics of the door.

With the above and other objects in view, embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, and these embodiments will be hereinafter more fully described with reference thereto and the invention will be finally pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a letter-slot device according to one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a top view of the same;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of a modified 3o embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a side view thereof;

Fig. 6 is a top view of the same; I

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of a further modilied embodiment;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view thereof;

Fig. 9 is a front elevation of a still further embodiment, and

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view thereof.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings. 1

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 to 3 thereof, the embodiment of the invention shown therein comprises a plate 11, provided at the back with attaching screws 12 and 13 engaged in suitable threaded bosses 14: and 15, and having a vertically disposed letter-slot 16, normally closed by means of a flap 17, hinged at 18 along one vertical edge of the plate and yieldably held closed by means of a spring 19.

A knocker 20 is supported in hinge bear ings 21 and 22, near the upper end of the plate, for swinging movement about a horizontal axis, and has a weighted lower end adapted to have impact upon the plate below the letter-slot. As shown in this embodiment the knocker is of U-shape and has festoonlike portions 23 extending between the side legs to obstruct the letter-slot against insertion of letters in the normal hanging position of the knocker.

In order to insert a letter the knocker is raised giving access to the letter-slot, and upon release drops againstthe plate, and thereby audibly signals to the occupants of the house that a letter has been left.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 4 to 6, the lmocker locks the letter-slot flap in its normal hanging position, and causes it to open upon being raised. the flap is provided at its hinge side with a flange 24, bent at a right angle thereto and disposed in alignment with one vertical edge of a slot 25 in the plate 11 through which extends a cam projection 26 provided at the upper end of one side of the knocker. In the hanging relation of the knocker this projection engages the flange 2 1 and locks the flap against movement. Upon raising the knocker beyond a predetermined point, however, the cam projection: is released from the For this purpose flange and the flap swings open under the action of its spring 28, whichin this embodimentis arranged to swing the flap open, rather than to hold it closed as in the first embodiment. Theinitial movementof the knocker, it will be noted, is ineffectual to releasethe flap. As the knocker is released the cam projection 26 engages the flange 24,:

knocker 31 being mounted to swing on horizont-al hinges 32 and 33 and rovided at its inner side with a projecting boss 3% normally engaged in and closing the letter slot. The lower end of the knocker is weighted and bears against the plate. In order to insert a letter the knocker is raised exposing the slot, the dropping of the knocker after insertion of the letter audibly signaling the fact.

In Figs. 9 and 10 I have shown a still further modified form. The plate 35 is provided with a horizontal letter-slot 36 normally closed by means of a gravity flap 37 hinged at 38 along a horizontal axis, and provided at each end with upwardly projecting lug is released its engagement with the plate produces the audible signal. 1

I have illustrated and described preferred and satisfactory embodiments of the invention but it will be obvious that changes may he made therein, within the spirit and scope thereof, as delined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire-to secure by Letters Patent-is 1. In a signaling letter-slot device, a plate having a letter slot, and a knocker mounted on said plate overlying said slot and normally exposing the same and adapted to be coincidentally and audibly operated to signal the insertion of a letter in said slot.

2. In a signaling letter-slot device, a plate having a letter-slot, meansfor normally closing said slot and a knocker mounted on said plate and adapted to be coincidentally and audibly operated in cooperation with the insertion of a letter in said slot.

3. 'In a signaling letter-slot device, a plate having an'exposed letter-slot, and a knocker mounted on said plate and partially obstructing said slot whereby said knocker is adapted to be raised during insertion of a letter in said slot. V L

'4. In a signaling letter-slotdeviee, a plate having a letter-slot, a knocker mounted on said plate andadapted to be raised to permit insertion of a letter in said slot, and means whereby the letter slot is closed during the initial raising movement of said knocker.

I 5. In a signaling letter-slot device, a plate having a letter-slot, and a knocker mounted on said plate and obstructing a portion of saidslot, said knocker adapted to be raised to permit insertion of a letter in said slot.

6. In a signaling letter-slot device, a plate having a letter-slot, a flap at the rearward side 01 said plate for normally covering said slot, almocker mounted onsaid plate at the forward side, and means whereby movement of said knocher to raised position is adapted to cause movement of said flap to open said slot.

7 In a signaling letter-slot device, a plate having a letter slot, a flap at the rearward side of said plate for normally covering said slot, a knocker mounted on said plate at the forward side, and means whereby movement of saidhnocker beyond a predetermined point is adapted to cause movement of said flap to open said slot, the initial movement of said knocker being ineffectual to cause movement of said flap.

8. In a signaling letter-slot device, a plate having a letter slot, a flap at the rearward side oi? said plate for normally covering said slot, a knocker mounted on said plate at the forward side, and means on said 'knocker adapted during movement to raised position to move said flap to open position.

9. In a signaling letter-slot device, a plate having a letter slot, a flap at the rearward side oi said plate for normally covering said slot,-a .knocher mounted on said plate at the forward side, and means on said knocker normally retaining said flap in closed position and adapted during movement of said knocker to raised position to release said flap.

10. In a signaling letter-slot device, a plate having a letter-slot, a knocker disposed in ohstructing relation to said slot and adapted to be coincidentally and audibly operated in cooperation with the insertion of a letter in said slot, and movable closure means separate from saidlrnoeker for closing said slot.

Signed at Newark, county of Essex, and State of New Jersey, this 30th day of January, 1928.

EUGENE B. MOLAUGHLIN 

